Full-time fighter Brian Stann motivated for WEC title defense

After being touted as a former All-American football player and a decorated U.S. Marine, undefeated WEC light heavyweight Brian Stann (6-0) is now content with just one title: champion of the WEC’s 205-pound division.

Tomorrow night Stann will defend his newly won title for the first time against Steve Cantwell. It’s a match-up Stann says he “knew was going to happen.”

Stann’s title is one of three belts that will be on the line during Sunday’s WEC 35 show at the The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The main card airs live on Versus.

In a recent conversation with MMAjunkie.com (www.MMAjunkie.com), Stann talked about the title fight, his recent move to Atlanta, and what it’s like to have full time coaches for the first time in his fighting career.

MMAjunkie.com: You recently moved to Atlanta. Was that a decision based on family or was it to be closer to a full-time training camp?

Stann: Family and very-close-friend-of-mine John Bartis. He has a healthcare company, and I work for him. The schedule is very flexible and allows me to train full time. Honestly, when I moved to Atlanta, I didn’t know who or what type of training was available.

MMAjunkie.com: Is it true that you are training at The Hardcore Gym with Adam and Rory Singer?

Stann: Yes, I train at The Hardcore Gym two days a week. I also train with Roan Carneiro and Roberto Traven, which is just amazing. There are times when I am at the gym and there are 10 or 12 Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belts training with me.

I still train with Team Quest also, I usually go out there for a week at a time. This is the first time in my career that I’ve had full-time coaches.

MMAjunkie.com: What has been the biggest difference in your training and preparation since getting those full-time coaches?

Stann: I’ve always trained hard, but with my coaches, they break down the different areas of the game, and I can see a tremendous difference. I would also say prior to having coaches I was overtraining. This will be the first fight I’ll go into where I am not over-trained.

MMAjunkie.com: Are you having any trouble getting motivated to fight Steve Cantwell, a man you beat in just 41 seconds in March of 2007?

Stann: Absolutely not. Cantwell is a very good fighter. When I beat him the first time, I knew he wouldn’t lose again and that I would be fighting him again.

He also has no respect for my skills as a fighter. He has made that clear. So getting motivated for this fight is not a problem.

MMAjunkie.com: Do you think in your second fight with Cantwell he will try to get you to the ground as quickly as possible?

Stann: No, I think he will roll the dice for a while and stand with me before he attempts to go to the ground. I’ll be comfortable wherever the fight goes.

MMAjunkie.com: Over the past year, you have become a very popular representative of the WEC. Do the extensive media tours affect your training?

Stann: No, not at all. This last media tour was only 36 hours. I also have an agreement with the WEC where they guarantee me time for training, and I can bring training partners with me.

It’s really not that bad. I had a chance to visit the Dynamite Youth Center while I was in New York. It’s a rehab facility for kids who are in trouble, and I really enjoyed that. With the media tours, you can use them for good.

I really want to be a good representative of the sport. A lot of people don’t realize the amount of college-educated fighters and top-level athletes that compete in mixed martial arts.

MMAjunkie.com: Recently there has been talk of the WEC dropping the heavier weight classes and moving those fighters to the UFC. Has the WEC given you any information regarding that possibility?

Stann: I’ve heard the talk, but I have been told that there is no truth to it happening at this time.

MMAjunkie.com: Do you feel like you are ready to fight in the UFC’s light-heavyweight division?

Stann: At this point I’ll fight anyone.

MMAjunkie.com: So you’re ready for the UFC?

Stann: Eventually I want to be there (the UFC) — maybe in one or two years — and I’ll be even better prepared.

MMAjunkie.com: You are known for a good stand-up game with great power. Now that you have made the move to new gyms and have full-time coaches, have you been focusing more on your ground game?

Stann: Overall my focus has been on technique all around. With full-time coaches I don’t improve every time I train — not every month, or every week. I train my stand-up and work to improve. And I work on my BJJ and takedown defense as well. I improve everyday, but I have a long way to go.

MMAjunkie.com: Are there any supporters or sponsors that you would like to thank?

Stann: The Hardcore Gym, Roberto Traven BJJ, Team Quest, all of my training partners. I have to thank my Chiropractor, Dr. Jeffrey Ho, from Chiropractic USA. Thank you to the fans and all of my sponsors.

MMAjunkie.com: Is there a way for fans to get in touch with you?

Stann: Sure, they can visit me at www.brianstann.com. They can go directly to my MySpace page from my website.

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